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Under the state budget passed by the Legislature, Big Island representatives secured more than $331 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for the biennium of fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for various projects across Hawaii County. Hawaii lawmakers were also able to secure $5.4 million in Grants-In-Aid CIP for Big Island nonprofit organizations.

Notable CIP funding highlights for Hawaii County include:

$89 million for extending the Daniel K. Inouye Highway

$54.7 million for Hawaii Belt Road improvements

$40 million for Keaau-Pahoa Road improvements

$20.8 million for Mamalahoa Highway road and bridge improvements

$19.3 million for Hilo International Airport improvements

$14.8 million for Kona International Airport improvements

$13.2 million for Hawaii Community Correctional Center for medium security housing

Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi announced several new committee chairs and an addition to Senate leadership as part of the Senate’s recent reorganization.

Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele was named the new Majority Whip today.

Senator Donovan Dela Cruz will be the new Ways and Means committee chair with Senator Gil Keith-Agaran serving as the Ways and Means committee vice chair.

The current Senate committee on Judiciary and Labor will be divided into two committees with Senator Brian T. Taniguchi chairing the Judiciary committee and Senator Jill N. Tokuda chairing the Labor committee.

Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele is the new Majority Whip.

These new positions are effective at the close of business on May 12, 2017.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), Highways Division, invites the community to an informational meeting for the extension of the Western terminus of Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Route 200), formerly known as Saddle Road, to connect with the intersection of Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Route 19) and Waikoloa Beach Drive.

The Federal Highways Administration Central Federal Lands Highway Division (FHWA-CFLHD) and HDOT are collaborating for a solution to extend D.K.I Highway in anticipation of the expected traffic growth in this area. Project information, display boards and proposed options of the extension will be presented at 6:30 p.m., following with a short presentation at 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to ask questions and share their input with the staff available to determine the best solution for the community.

Purposes of the project include improving safety, providing a modern State Highway link connecting motorists traveling between Hilo and coastal South Kohala/Kona on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway and improving general efficiency and operational level of traffic movement designed to save time.

The meeting is accessible for individuals with disabilities. To request language interpretation, an auxiliary aid or special services (e.g., sign language interpreter and accessible parking), please contact Mr. Darrell Young prior to the meeting date.

Text telephone (TTY) users may use telecommunication relay service (TRS) to contact HDOT.

Persons unable or desiring not to appear at the public meeting may file a signed statement presenting their views on this project. Statements should be submitted up to and including June 7, 2017 and should be addressed to Darell Young.

Individuals and families using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards may experience downtime from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2017. Consumers are asked to avoid making transactions during these morning hours. Consumers may resume regular use of their cards after 6 a.m. on Monday.

From May 12, 2017 through May 15, 2017, the Hawai‘i Department of Human Services (DHS) will be converting its Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system from the current vendor, JPMorgan Electronic Financial Services, to a new EBT vendor, Fidelity Information Services Government Solutions.

EBT cardholders experiencing issues beyond 6 a.m. on May 15, 2017 may call the same helpline as usual at 1-888-328-4292. Limited helpline service will be available to EBT cardholders during the downtime period.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will be conducting maintenance work on Muliwai trail and Waimanu campground between May 15-19. The campground and trail will be closed during this period.

This is part of DOFAW’s routine maintenance of this trail and campground, including maintaining proper function of the Clivus composting toilets, litter pick up, removing fallen trees, and clearing land slides and use of herbicide to control invasive plants. This trail and campground is closed and maintained about four times a year.

For more information on state forest hiking trails and wilderness campgrounds, go to the Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program website (https://hawaiitrails.org/trails/#/), or to the DOFAW Hilo and Waimea offices. For more information call (808) 974-4221.